Geography Minor

Geography studies the spatial distributions and interactions of peoples, places, and environments throughout the world. The discipline describes, analyzes and represents these spatial phenomena. A geography minor relates to many other disciplines, with robust spatial sub-fields such as Environmental Science, History, Criminal Justice, Biology, Political Science, Leisure Studies, Cultural Studies, Ethnic and Gender Studies, and Economics and Management.

Twelve (12) of the Geography Minor credits must be taken in residence at Westfield State University.

Requirements for the Geography Minor

The minor requires a total of 18 - 19 credits as follows:

Part I: Foundation Courses

Students must select any three of the following courses:

GPS 0101 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
GPS 0102 - Physical Geography Credits: 4
GPS 0106 - Envir., Sustain. & Society Credits: 3
GPS 0210 - Cultural Geography Credits: 3

Part II: Methods Courses

Students must select any one of the following courses:

GPS 0243 - Introduction to Remote Sensing Credits: 3
GPS 0244 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
GPS 0246 - Quantitative Methods for Social and Physical Science Credits: 3
GPS 0340 - Data Collection and Analysis Credits: 3
GPS 0360 - Field Methods Credits: 3

Part III: Environmental Geography

Students must select any one of the following courses:

GPS 0107 - Climate Change Credits: 3
GPS 0219 - Land Use and Resource Planning Credits: 3
GPS 0230 - Meteorology Credits: 3
GPS 0245 - Sustainable Energy Credits: 3
GPS 0349 - Political Ecology/Environmental Justice Credits: 3
GPS 0251 - Water Resources Planning and Management Credits: 4
ENVS 0241 - Restoration Ecology Credits: 4

Part IV: Urban and Social Justice

Students must select any one of the following courses:

GPS 0203 - Geography of Hunger and Poverty in the United States Credits: 3
GPS 0204 - Housing in America Credits: 3
GPS 0216 - Social Justice and the City Credits: 3
GPS 0217 - Contemporary Global Issues Credits: 3
GPS 0218 - Recreation Geography Credits: 3
GPS 0252 - Cities of the Global South Credits: 3
GPS 0314 - Sustainable Transportation Credits: 3

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .